Only Seven Arabs Return to West Bank on First Day of New Reunion Plan

November 28, 1967

JERUSALEM (Nov. 27)

Only seven Arabs — old men and women — crossed the Allenby Bridge today to join their families in Israeli-held areas on the West Bank, although Israel had issued 30 permits good for return to Israel on this day, the first under the new Arab refugee family reunion plan.

The family reunion play applies only to those Arabs living in Jordan whose return is requested by their relatives in Israeli-held areas. Israel announced the plan last September, when the influx of refugees from Jordan was halted except for relatives. Those who came back today left immediately to join their families in the Bethlehem and Hebron areas. There was no explanation for the reason why only seven of 30 permit holders availed themselves of the opportunity to rejoin their families.